So much for the partner-in-peace dream. While Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has usually been derided in the past as simply ineffective, his latest statement indicates that not only is he a failure, but that he opposes peaceful relations with Israel. From [1] UPI:

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas urged Arab countries to refrain from establishing relations with Israel until it pulls out from territory captured in 1967. Speaking at a news conference Wednesday at the seat of the Arab League in Cairo, Abbas said, "Arab countries are sovereign states and act in a sovereign ways, but there are Arab agreements to which all Arab countries are committed."

Abbas' comments are especially regrettable coming at a time when some Middle Eastern leaders - such as President Musharraf - have publicly softened their stances somewhat with regard to Israel.